Threaded closure flange with locking projections



June 1959 c. w. DEARING ET AL 2,889,156

THREADEQ CLOSURE FLANGE WITH LOCKING PROJECTIONS Filed Oct. 8, 1953 3Sheets-Sheet l C Mes/v05 m 05A rem/(, ER/WA NN H. Gama/ V EN T016" dHAROLD Asia/v ATTORNEY,

4 June 2, 1 c. w. DEARING ETAL 2,839,156

THREADED CLOSURE FLANGE WITH LOCKING PROJECTIONS Filed Oct. 8, 1953 sSheets-Sheet 2 iHllHlHillUl INVENTORS.

|||I|||III EHIW|I1IHImm CZARENCE W DEAR/N61 HERMAN/V H, GIQL/CZEK 4 HARLD 4 STONE ATTORNEX June 1959 c. w. DEARING ET AL 2,889,156

THREADED CLOSURE FLANGE WITH LOCKING PROJECTIONS Filed Oct. 8, 1953 3Sheets-Sheet 3 CLA/ E/vcEl/V, DEAR/NQ H RMAN/V G'QUCZEK INVENTORS;

A T TORNEX.

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ffice THREADED CLOSURE FLANGE WITH LG'CKlNG PROEECTIUNS Clarence W.Bearing, Chicago, Hermann H. Gruczek, West Chicago, and Harold A. Stone,Bensenville, 133., 'assignors to American Flange dz h iannfactnring 43o.line, New York, N31, a corporation of Delaware Application October 8,1953, Serial No. 384,988

3 Claims. (Cl. 28555) This invention relates to closure flanges forcontainer wall openings, to methods for forming such closure flanges andto combinations of the same with container walls and is particularlyconcerned with closure flanges for container walls where such walls areformed from pre-coated sheets and with combinations of such closureflanges with such container Walls.

Steel shipping containers, particularly in the category of steel barrelsand drums, have been developed over the years to a point Where they arenow a well recognized and most essential package for the shipment of avariety of commodities. They have found a wide market in the shipment ofcommodities which had no efiect on or are not affected by the uncoatedsteel out of which they are made. So useful and effective have theyproven themselves that a demand has arisen for the fabrication of suchcontainers with interior coatings to protect the container walls againstcorrosion and the commodities against contamination, etc. by thecontainer Wall material, and the industry has found such coatings whichcan be eifectively employed.

Since almost the inception of the light weight steel drum it has beenthe recognized practice to coat the ex teriors thereof for protection ofthe steel and for the imparting of distinctive and attractiveappearances thereto. For many years this has been done by the paintingor lacquering of the drums after they were formed. The results arereasonably satisfactory but this method of coating calls forconsiderable work, equipment and floor space due to the necessity, amongother things, of applying the lacquer to the finished drums, bakingthose drums in ovens and then, in addition, or alternatively, conveyingthe drums for considerable distance throughthe air to allow the lacquerto set. Efiorts to similarly coat the interiors of assembled drums,particularly if they are not of the removable head type, involve so manyadditional factors that the results achieved hardly warrant the effortinvolved.

In recent years at least one manufacturer developed exterior coatingswhich could be applied to flat sheets prior to the fabrication of theminto drums and which resisted abrasion and fracture from the stepsinvolved and equipment employed in the forming of such sheets intodrums. More recently, coatings, designed for the interior linings ofdrums, and the application of them to flat sheets, have been developedto withstand the forming of the sheets into drums without seriousabrasion or fracture. Certain of these coatings, like the exteriorcoatings just mentioned, not only adhere well to the metal but are alsotough. Others, such as Saran, adhere well to the metal and are goodcoatings for preventing the contact of food products with the metal ofthe container, but are rather easily fractured.

The application of closure flanges or bushings to openings in suchcoated sheets and the forming of the sheets to receive them haveinvolved troublesome problems. The perforating and embossing of suchsheets, in manners heretofore practiced, and the action of securingexisting,

closure flanges in such perforations could not be followed where thesheets were pre-coated either exteriorly or interiorly or both, withoutthe likelihood of seriously scufif ing or fracturing the coating. Whenthe coating on the outside of the drum is scuifed or fractured on thehead of the drum, it makes for an unsightly package and, in addition,the metal is quite likely to be exposed to corrosion. Thus the fulleffectiveness of the drum is lost and the quality of the product isreduced. When the coating on the interior of the drum is badly scuffedor fractured, in a position where the contents of the drum can come incontact with it, the drum becomes worthless as a coated container, forthe contents, such as food products and chemicals, would be likely to becontaminated by coming into contact with the metal. A great demand hasaccordingly arisen for closure flanges and applying methods which can beemployed while avoiding these causes of rejection of the drums as amarketable product while, at the same time, following establishedeffective closure principles and keeping down the price of closures.

Applicants have met this demand and solved the problem in astraightforward, economical, manner, though in doing so they haveevolved a novel flange construction and a novel method of forming thesame as Well as a novel combination of closure flange with a containerwall opening. These have all been done while following preexistingpractices to such an extent as to avoid material changes inmanufacturing or applying machinery, with which latter all the drummanufacturers throughout the world are equipped. Furthermore the closureflanges of the invention enable the application thereto of closure plugsand capseals in manners in which workers in the art are accustomed.

It is accordingly :1 primary object of the invention to improve uponclosure flanges and the application of the same to container walls.

Another primary object is to provide for such improvements in connectionwith pre-coated container wall sheets.

Another primary object is to provide improved methods for the forming ofclosure flanges.

Another object is to provide closure flanges for, and the application ofthe same to, sheets used in the forming of container walls which areequally effective whether the sheets be uncoated or be pre-coated,either exteriorly or interiorly or both.

Another object is to provide such closure flanges for, and theapplication of the same to, pro-coated container wall sheets withoutdisturbing the coating on either the interior or exterior thereof.

Still another object is to provide such closure flanges which will notcontaminate the contents of such shipping containers or be contaminatedby such contents.

A further object is to provide such closure flanges formed for thereception of closure members which closure members will likewisepreclude the contamination of the contents of the container.

A still further object is to provide such closure flanges and theapplication of the same, to container walls, that the use of thecontainer for non-contaminating commodities will be preserved after thecontainer is no longer nseable for the shipment of products subject tocontermination by metal container Walls.

Further and more detailed objects of the invention will in part beobvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In that drawing:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a closure flange in accordance with theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. l andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the closure flange of Fig. 1, as viewedfrom the underside thereof.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 1and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a partially formed flange blank seated inthe female die member prior to the forming of rotation resistingelements on the flange neck.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the male and female die members inposition to form the flange neck and showing the flange blank in placein the female die member as in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of the male die member, taken on lines 77of Fig. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section, similar to Fig. 6, showing the die partsin the final position with the flange neck having been formed.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of drum stockformed for the reception of the finished flange of Figs. 1 through 4.

Fig. 10 is an elevation, part broken away and shown in section, of acompleted assembly of the closure flange of Figs. 1 to 4, with thecontainer wall of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a similar view including, in addition, a closure plug and acapseal thereover.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the assembly of Fig. 10 as viewed from theoutside of the container.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a closureflange-containerwall assembly, incorporating a plastic over-lay.

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the neck portion of the overlay asbroken away, leaving merely a collar overlying the periphery of theflange base.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical section of a modified form of closureflange-container wall assembly.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section of the modification of Fig.15, including the application of a plastic over-lay thereto.

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 including relevant portions ofclosure plug and capseal.

Referring first to the flange per se and the method of forming same, asillustrated in Figs. 1 through 8, the complete flange is given thegeneral designation 1 and is seen to have a base 2 from which anupstanding neck 3 extends, bordering the opening 4 provided by theflange. The perimeter of the base is here shown in the form of a polygonhaving flats 5 which, in the form illustrated, are twelve in number.This polygonal formation, with this number of sides, is chosen forsymmetry with the flats formed on the neck, as will appear hereinafter,and serves for the holding of the flange while the interior of the neckis being threaded and reamed. Otherwise the perimeter of the base 2 neednot be of any particular configuration save for the necessity ofalignment in the inserting die and holding while threading and reaming.

The neck 3 is formed by drawing the same up from the blank out of whichbase 2 is formed and subsequently perforating the same to remove the topportion and then opening the neck out to extend at right angles to thebase 2.

That leaves both the internal and external surfaces of the neck asconcentric cylinders. What is desired, however, is to provide suflicientprojections and flat portions on the exterior of the neck to preventrotation of the flange with respect to the drum stock neck receiving itwhen the flange is assembled in the wall of the drum. Also it is desiredto have suflicient threads within the wall of the neck for the strong,effective reception of a suitable closure plug, while providing a gasketseat on the inserted flange, above the threads,

for the engagement of a suitable gasket carried by the head of the plug.

These ends are achieved in a straightforward simple manner, inaccordance with the invention. First the neck of the formed flange blankis inserted into a female die member 6, as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and8. The surface 7 of this die member surrounding the neck 3 of theflange, as seen in Figs. 6 and 8, has a polygonal formation to beimparted to the exterior of the neck 3. Thus the center parts of theflat portions 8 of the surface 7 will lie on the same diameter as thatof the exterior of the neck 3 but will depart therefrom at the corners9, formed at their ends. The base 2 of the flange seats down on theupper surface 10 of the die member 6 thus locating the flange depth-wisewithin the die member.

The male die member 11, for use in swaging the stock of the flange neck3 outwardly into conformance with the contour of the surface 7, is shownat 11 in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. This is secured to a ram 12 of a suitablepress.

The male die member 11 is generally in the form of a cylindrical memberwhose base radius is substantially the same as the internal radius ofthe neck 3, giving it a base circular periphery 13. This periphery,however, is interrupted at a number of positions therearound, withoutwardly extending ribs 14 in the same number and in the same spacedrelationship as the corners 9 of the surface 7 of the female die 6. Theperipheries of the ribs 14 are rounded to cause the metal of the flangeneck to flow into the recess 9 in effective manner while preventingfractures of the neck and preserving the die life. The ribs 14 alsoextend throughout the height of the die member 11, the upper portion ofwhich die member is received in a recess 15 formed therefor in the dieblock 12. The lower ends of the ribs 14 are rounded off as shown at 16to give the die member a lead or start in to the neck of the flange.

Thus to form the flange neck into the desired configuration the malemember 11 is driven down into the neck 3, as illustrated in Fig. 8, tothe extent desired to provide a polygonal exterior of the desiredheight. Reverting to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be seen that this exterior isnot quite polygonal, inasmuch as the centre portion 17 of each side isnot quite flattened out but retains a little of the original curvatureof the neck. What is important, however, is that abrupt corner elements18, corresponding to the recess 9, are formed with flat faces 21} and 21extending thereto from the small curved portions 17 remaining. Theseabrupt corners 18 protrude adequately for rotation preventing engagementwith a similar formation imparted to the drum stock neck as shown inFig. 9.

Internally the stock of the neck is not so abruptly formed but, rather,is rounded into depressions 22 in the same number as the corners 18 andin opposed position with respect thereto. These depressions, however,prevent the formation of continuous threads in the neck. Neverthelesssuflicient material remains between the depressions 22 to enable theformation of threaded segments 23 of sufficient extent and strength toeffectively receive a closure plug.

In order to thread these segments the neck 3 is first reamed internallyat 24 down to the upper end of the depressions 22. This reaming cuts themetal back at least as far as the roots of the threads to be formed, sothat a tap may be introduced to effect the threading. Each threadportion of the threaded segments 23 extends to abrupt sharp ends 25 soeach threaded segment will have substantial engagement with the threadof the closure plug inserted in the flange. Also such sharpness willenhance the engagement and the free running of the plug in the flange.

A slight modification of the foregoing design to further expedite thereception of a plug by the flange is shown in Fig. 4. Here the reamingof the neck 3 at 24 is stopped sutficiently abovethe upper end of therecesses 2.2 to enable one full thread 26 to be formed above the threadsegments 23. This not only expedites the threading of the plug with theflange but, also, improves the gasket seating of the plug gasket withrespect to the flange.

The section of container wall formed for the reception of the flangesjust described is shown at 30 in Fig. 9. Here the stock 36 has beenperforated at 31 and is drawn up in a neck 3?. bordering thatperforation. The neck 32, in the drawing of it, is formed into a polygonshape for the mated reception of the substantially polygonal formationon the exterior of the flange neck 3. Thus the neck 32 has flats 33meeting at recessed corners 34, which corners snugly receive theextending corners 18 on the exterior of the flange neck.

The manner of perforating and forming the drum stock neck here shown iseflected by separate die operation prior to the application of theflange thereto. It is also possible to so form the drum stock into apolygonal neck by employing a single stroke flange inserting mechanism.This mechanism first perforates the drum stock and, using the exteriorof the flange neck as a male die, forms the drum stock neck into thedesired polygonal formation as the flange is inserted thereto.

A flange as just described, fully applied to the perforation of thecontainer wall is illustrated in Fig. 10. Here the flange neck 3 isseated within the neck 32, formed in the container wall stock, while thebase 2 of the flange underlies the container wall stock around theopening therethrough. A compressible gasket 35 is secured in compressedcondition between the upper surface 36 of the base 2 and theundersurface of the container wall stock. The gasket 35 extends all theway from the neck 3 out to the periphery 37 of the base 2. Thus thegasket 35 performs the dual functions of gasketing against leakage ofthe container contents and cushioning the base 2 of the flange withrespect to the undersurface of the drum stock. This cushion, animportant feature of the invention, prevents any fracturing of thecoating or lining 33 carried by the inner surface of the container wallstock. In the absence of such a cushioning the metal of the flange base2, particularly at its peripheral edge, would be quite likely to biteinto and fracture the coating or lining 38 during the pressing andsecuring of the flange in place in the container wall.

Such pressing and securing of the flange in place is effected bysuitable die mechanism acting against the flange base, the containerwall above it and the reamed portion of the flange neck, to first seatthe flange in place in the opening and then tightly secure it there.Such securing is effected by beading the reamed upper portion 39 of theflange neck outwardly and downwardly around the upper end of thecontainer wall neck. This beading is accomplished by a suitable curlinganvil which engages a surface 24 all round its periphery and swages itinto the bead formation seen in cross-section in Fig. 10. The gasketmaterial 35, being more pliable than the lining material 35 absorbs anyshock involved in the securing. After the securing the gasket 35 servesas a cushion to prevent any shocks imparted to the flange from movingthe flange far enough for the periphery of its metal base to engage thelining 33.

As to any coating at 46 on the outer surface of the drum stock 30, suchwill likewise be protected by the cushioning action, at least up to theposition 41 where the neck turns upwardly. Should any fracture orabrasion take place of the coating on the exterior of the neck 32, thatis of no particular consequence for liquid cannot collect on it and alsowhile the finished container is in transit, the neck 32 will normally becovered by the skirt of a capseal. Likewise fracture or abrasion of thecoating, or lining, on the inside of the neck would be of no consequenceas it is not visible and it is protected by the gasket 35 from anycontact with the contents of the container.

It is, of course, apparent, but none the less important, that the matedpolygonal formations on the exterior of the flange neck and the interiorof the drum stock neck will prevent any rotation of the flange withrespect to the drum stock as the closure plug is screwed into and out ofthe flange neck.

A suitable plug 45, for closing the opening in the flange, is shown inplace therein in Fig. 11. The plug 45 has a screw threaded body portion46 whose threads engage with the threads of the threaded segments 23.The threads 46 of the plug are, of course, continuous rather than beingsegmental as is the case on the flange.

The plug is recessed at 47 above its threaded body portion 46 and, abovethat, the plug has an outwardly extending head 48 which extendsoutwardly to a position just beyond the peaks of its threads.

The undersurface of the head 48 cooperates with the recess 47 to form areceiving seat for a gasket 49. This gasket is compressed against theopposed portion of the surface 24 and the upper surface of the thread orthread segment continuing from the surface 24-. Proper seating of theplug is effected when the corner 50 of its head engages inmetal-to-metal contact with the surface 24. When the plug reaches thatposition the gasket 49 is surrounded by metal and is properly compressedto form a leakproof joint.

Additional assurance against leakage and provision against undetectedtampering is provided by a capseal generally indicated at 55, whose tophas a surface 56 overlying the head 58 of the plug. The peripheralportion S7 of that top is recessed downwardly to overlie the beadedportion 39 of the flange. A gasket 58, preferably of the flowed-in type,is carried partly by the undersurface of the portion 57 and partly bythe downwardly extending skirt 59 of the capseal. Thus when the capsealis seated over the plug and drawn tightly down thereover by a tool whichcontracts the lower portion 66 of the cap skirt against the drum stockneck beneath the bead 39, the gasket 58 is compressed and flows, asneeded, to fill any space between the periphery of the plug head and theopposed portions of the capseal and flange bead.

In the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention it has been assumed that Where the container would have aninterior lining, or coating, to resist corrosive or other chemicalaction of the contents of the container, the flange would either besuitably coated to similarly resist action of the contents on the metalof the flange, or would be formed of material suit able to resist suchaction. Stainless steel and aluminum are illustrative of such materials.Likewise the closure plugs would be either coated or formed of suitablematerial. Where the exterior of the container only is coated, then theflange may, of course, be made of ordinary steel without any coating.

An alternative arrangement for the making of flanges out of ordinarysteel and shielding their metal from contact with the contents of thecontainer is shown at Fig. 13. Here the flange and container wall areformed and assembled in the same manner as that already described butall portions of the flange, which would otherwise be exposed to thecontents of the container, are shielded or covered by an element 65referred to herein as an over-lay.

This over-lay 65 is formed of a plastic material inert with respect tothe contents of the container but still rigid and resilient enough toretain the desired formation and hold in place against the metal flangebordering the container wall opening. Polyethylene is illustrative of aplastic material which is satisfactory for this purpose. It is, ofcourse, to be understood, that other plastic materials may be employedso long as they have the characteristics needed for an effectiveover-lay.

The over-lay 65 has a neck portion 66 whose interior surface is screwthreaded at 67 for the reception of a suitable closure plug as indicatedat Fig. 17. This surface is recessed at 63, at the upper end of thethreaded portion 67 to form a gasket seat for the gasket portion of theplug. Normally such plug would be formed of the same material as theover-lay and would have a gasketing portion formed integrally with it toseat against the surface 68. Also the plug would have a thin skirtlikeportion overlying at least part of the flat top surface 69 of theoverlay.

The exterior of the neck 66 has an enlarged outwardly extending portion70 at its upper end for engaging the surface 24 of the flange head abovethe threads of the flange. Below that, portions of the neck 66, as seenat 71, extend at least part way into the flange threads of the segments23. Also portions of the neck 66 extend into the recesses 22 betweenthose segments. If the over-lay is pre-formed and then applied to theflange, the extension of its material into the threads and recesses willlargely be such as results from the cold flow of the material. If,however, the overlay is rendered thermo-plastic when applied, or isformed using the flange as the matrix for a die in which the over-lay ismoulded, then the over-lay material can be caused to flow fully into thethreads and into the recesses, correspondingly increasing the holdingengagement therebetween.

From the bottom of its neck 66 the over-lay extends outwardly in acollar portion which forms a pocket for receiving and covering the base2 of the flange. This collar portion has a bottom portion 72 underlyingthe base 2, an end portion 73 turning up therefrom to overlie and coverthe periphery of the flange base and a top portion 74 turning inwardover the upper surface 36 of the flange base. Preferably the portion '74extends inwardly to the outer edge of the flange neck 3 in the samemanner as does the gasket 35 previously described. However the portion74 may terminate at a position spaced from the neck 3 and that space maybe filled by a compressible resilient gasket.

If the over-lay is pre-forrned it is applied to the flange by springingthe pocket formed by the portions 72, 73 and 74 sufiiciently to enablethe insertion of the base 2 therein. If, however, the over-lay is formedright on the flange in fluid state, it will already be in properposition when it sets.

The flange, with the over-lay applied thereto, is secured to thecontainer wall in the same manner as already described for the securingof flanges without an over-lay. Here, however, the portion 74 of theover-lay replaces the gasket 35 and thus is the portion to be squeezedbetween the flange base and the drum stock. Being of pliable resilientmaterial it forms an effective gasket and also serves as a cushion toprevent fracture of the liner 38, during the insertion and duringsubsequent working of the flange with respect to the container wall.Obviously the contents of the container are precluded from makingcontact with the metal of the flange since the over-lay covers allotherwise interiorly exposed surfaces thereof. The over-lay holds itselfin position on the flange by means of the interengaging formations onthe neck and the pocketing of the base 2 of the flange in the collar ofthe over-lay. Rotation of the flange with respect to the container wallis precluded by the polygonal neck engagement as already described androtation of the over-lay with respect to the flange is precluded by theportions of the over-lay which flow into the recesses 22 as well as byengagement of the perimeter of the overlay collar with the polygonalperimeter of the flange.

After the drum has served its purpose as a lined container it may bere-used, carrying commodities for which a lining is not needed. in suchcase the opening through the flange can be increased in size by cuttingor breaking away the neck 66 of the over-lay around a line such as 75 inFig. 14. The neck portion 66 would then be removed, leaving behind theremaining part of the collar portion 72 as well as all of the portions73 and 74 All that really needs to be left is the portion 74 to serve asa gasket between the flange base 2 and the container wall 30. Thethreaded segments 23 thus being exposed, a metal closure plug asillustrated in Fig. 11 can be employed for closing the opening.

A slightly modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 15through 17. The metal flange here is the same as that previouslyconsidered so will be given the same reference characters. The containerwall however, is merely perforated at 81 in an opening whose perimetermates with the exterior of the flange neck. This provides an interlock,preventing rotation of the flange with respect to the container wall. Inplace of an integral neck on the container wall, a separate sleeve 82 isprovided, formed to lit the exterior of the flange and secured in placeby the beading of the portion 39 over the outer end thereof. This holdsthe sleeve in tight engagement with the exterior of the container wall.Such holding likewise secures the flange tightly in place and compressesthe gasket 35 in the manner already described.

The application of this two-piece construction with a flange having anover-lay is illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17. Here, again, all parts ofthe flange and over-lay are the same as set forth in Fig. 13 and arethus given the same reference characters. The sleeve 32 is againemployed in place of the integral container neck to overlie the flangeneck and to hold the flange and container wall in assembled relation.The gasketing and cushioning effected by the portion 74 of the over-layis again the same as in the form of Fig. 13 and, likewise, acts the sameas the gasket 35 previously described. Likewise also the neck of theover-lay can be broken away as shown in Fig. 14 if the use of it is nolonger desired.

The addition of a closure plug and capseal to the form shown in Fig. 16is illustrated in Fig. 17. Here the plug shown has a body 85 threadedlyreceived within the threaded opening 67 of the over-lay. Above itsthreads the plug has an integrally formed gasketing portion 86 engagingthe gasket surface 68 of the over-lay and its head has a portion 87which overlies the upper surface 69 of the over-lay. A thin lip 88extends from the portion 87 to overlie the upper end of the bead 99.Thus when a capseal 89 is secured in place over this closure plug, thedepressed portion 90 thereof not only forces its gasket 91 intoengagement with the bead portion 39 but also presses the lip 88 downagainst that head. Securing of the capseal is effected by the inward anddownward crimping of its skirt 92 against the exterior of the sleeve 82.Thus any liquid which possibly leaks up between the plug and theover-lay is prevented from going any further by the action of thecapseal in securing the lip 88 and the gasket 91 about the head 39.

From the foregoing it would be readily apparent that the inventionprovides a closure flange, a method of forming the same, a combinationof the same with a container wall opening and the method of forming thatcombination which solved the problem of providing effective closures forexteriorly coated and interiorly lined containers without disturbingthose coatings or linings.

In the foregoing description various materials have been specificallymentioned as being effective for the intended purposes. It is, ofcourse, to be understood that such references are made for illustrativeand not for limiting purposes and that the scope of the inventionembraces the use of such materials as are suitable for the ends to beachieved.

In a larger sense it is, of course, to be understood that since certainchanges may be made in the construction set forth and in carrying outthe above method and since different embodiments of the invention may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all material contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawing shall be interpreted in an illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

Having described our invention What we claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. A closure flange for container openings, comprising a one-piecemember formed with a substantially cylindrical neck and a base, saidneck being continuous from one end to the other thereof and being formedwith a cylindrical opening therethrough for the reception of a closuremember, said base extending laterally outwardly from and with respect tosaid neck at one end thereof, a portion of the end of said neck oppositesaid base being internally reduced in cross-section, the remainder ofsaid neck being formed with circumferentially spaced verticallyextending recesses extending radially outwardly from the innercylindrical surface of the said opening and there being projections onthe outer surface of said neck in mated relationship with respect tosaid recesses, the portions of the stock of said neck between saidrecesses presenting cylindrical segments of the internal cylinder ofsaid neck, said segments extending longitudinally of said neck, thefaces of said segments being formed with thread elements therein formingpart of a thread formation interrupted at said recesses and anuninterrupted thread continuing the thread formation of said interruptedthreads and formed in the stock of said neck between said reducedportion thereof and the adjacent ends of said segments.

2. A closure flange as in claim 1 and including a resilient plasticoverlay applied to said flange, said overlay including a neck portionreceived within said closure flange neck, having its outer surfaceformed into engagement with said interrupted thread formation and havingits inner surface formed as a threaded opening extending through saidneck, and a collar portion underlying the lower surface of said baseand, turned up past the periphery thereof and overlying part of theupper surface of said base.

3. A closure flange for container openings formed as a single one-piecemember and including a substantially cylindrical neck and a base, saidneck being formed with a substantially cylindrical opening therethroughfor the reception of a closure member, said neck being circumferentiallycontinuous throughout the height thereof and being formed with threevertical band portions of differing conformation, said base extendinglaterally outwardly from and with respect to said neck at one endthereof, the portion of said neck at the opposite end thereof from saidbase being internally reduced in cross-section, the portion of said neckadjacent said base being formed with circumferentially spacedlongitudinally extending recesses extending outwardly from the internalsurface thereof and separating the remainder of the internal surfaceinto cylindrical segmental portions with cylindrical inner faces andabrupt side walls, the external surface of said neck portion, oppositesaid recesses, being formed with outwardly extending projections formingsubstantially pointed vertical ribs, said remaining cylindricalsegmental portions being formed with interrupted thread sections of athread formation therein, said thread formation extending from one endto the other of said segmental portions and said third portion of saidneck between said reduced portion and said interrupted thread portionforming a single continuous thread, said single continuous threadextending on a helix continuing the thread formation of said interruptedthreads.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,000,486 Bauroth Aug. 15, 1911 1,529,929 Schwartz Mar. 17, 19251,540,554 Gnfiiths June 2, 1925 1,574,690 Radabaugh Feb. 23, 19261,617,302 Wackman Feb. 8, 1927 1,711,291 'Strama Apr. 30, 1929 1,789,928Wackman Jan. 20, 1931 1,856,747 Cooper May 3, 1932 1,884,602Dillhoeifer, Jr. Oct. 25, 1932 1,982,144 Shera Nov. 27, 1934 2,156,237Draper Apr. 25, 1939 2,157,978 Bullock May 9, 1939 2,262,765 Ilg Nov.18, 1941 2,289,409 Connors July 14, 1942 2,567,628 Vanderholt Sept. 11,1951 2,798,742 Parish July 9, 1957

